As time went on Bellatrix began returning home in increasingly bad moods. She didn't say much about her work but it seemed clear that things were not going smoothly at the ministry. One evening Bellatrix retreated to her study after dinner but called for Hermione not long after. "Do you know what this is?" She asked, holding up a small vial.
"Veritaserum?"
"Very good. Now, I wish for you to drink this, I have questions I want to ask of you." Hermione knew that there was no way to get out of drinking the potion, and it likely didn't make a difference anyway. She held her hand out.
"No. Open your mouth." Hermione did as she was told and Bellatrix poured the solution down her throat.
"Ok Granger. We'll start simple. Are you afraid of me?"
"Yes."
"Even after all these months together?"
"Yes."
"Is Harry Potter dead?"
"Yes."
"How do you know?"
"Saw his body."
"Where is Minerva McGonagall?"
"I don't know."
"Where do you think she is?"
"Azkaban. Or dead."
"Who killed Severus Snape?"
"Lord Voldemort."
"Why?"
"He believed that the elder wand answered to Snape. Because Snape killed Dumbledore."
"Was that true?"
"No."
"Who does it answer to?"
"It answered to Harry. Draco disarmed Dumbledore before Snape killed him. Harry disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor."
"How did Snape die? The killing curse?"
"No. Nagini."
"Did he suffer?"
"Yes.
"How many horcruxes were there?"
"Six."
"How many are left?"
"One. The snake."
Bellatrix thought for a moment and stepped closer. "Do you like it when I'm close to you? When I touch you?"
"Yes. I wish I didn't, but I do."
"If you could have any one thing that is in my power to give you what would it be?"
"Crookshanks."
Bellatrix frowned, confused. She saw by Hermione's eyes that the potion was starting to wear off. "What is a Crookshanks?"
"Why?" Hermione's voice was panicked. "Why do you want to know?"
"Answer my question!"
"No, don't hurt him. Please don't. I'll do anything you want."
Tempting, Bellatrix thought. "Answer me, I won't tell you again."
"He's just my cat. Please, leave him alone."
"Where is he?"
"I won't tell you. He's just a cat. He didn't do anything bad." Hermione was actually sobbing now.
"You're making me angry mudblood. Tell me."
"No. I don't care what you do."
"No? So I can give you to Lestrange then? Or how about Carrow?"
Hermione wiped at her eyes and nodded. "If that's what has to happen."
"Ok then. Let's put you back in your cell." Hermione followed obediently behind, wondering how long it would be before some other death eater came to collect her.
The next day Bellatrix awakened her and told her to bathe and dress. When she was done the death eater looked her over and smiled. "Ready to tell me where Crookshanks is?"
"No."
"In that case, we're taking a field trip today."
"Where?"
"Hogwarts. I have been asked to check on the progress they are making with the blood-traitors." She grabbed Hermione's arm and apparated them both to just outside the Hogwarts front doors. When Amycus Carrow appeared to greet them her heart began to race, sure that she was being given away, or more likely, traded. Bellatrix ignored her and questioned Carrow on the operation of the school. First he explained the process of rehabilitation.
"Once they start compliing with all the new rules and finish their classes we have them torture a few muggle-borns. If they want to leave now and go back to their old lives they just have to kill one."
"And have any?" Bellatrix asked.
"Three so far." Amycus said proudly. "Of course, some are a bit of trouble. The Weasley's can do the torture part all right but none have the stomach for more. And Longbottom isn't even trying."
"What happens when the term starts back in the fall?"
"All wizarding children must attend. Anyone who hasn't taken their N.E.W.T.S. has to finish. Those who haven't graduated to torture or we think aren't re-habilitated enough will go to Azkaban."
"And the staff?"
"Well there's me, Alecto, Binns, Grubbly-Plank, Slughorn. Xeno Lovegood graduated already and he can take Herbology. Can't say about the rest."
"Very good. I want weekly progress reports from now on. I need to see the Headmistress."
"Of course. I believe she's in her office."
"Come along Pet." Bellatrix led a shocked Hermione up to the Headmasters office. Along the way they passed a group of students. When people caught sight of Hermione they began to whisper and point.
"Hermione!" Ron pushed through the crowd. "You're alive!"
"Ron. Yes, are you ok?."
"Back off Weasley! This little display will set you back dearly." Alecto declared, pushing her way through the crowd.
"Weasley." Bellatrix snapped. Ron looked petrified. "Where is Hermione's cat?"
"Crookshanks? He's at my house. With my mum. He's fine." Ron couldn't imagine why Bellatrix would want to know. Hermione just groaned inwardly and continued to follow Bellatrix. When they arrived at the office she was shocked to see Narcissa Malfoy sitting behind the headmaster's desk.
"Cissy. How is progress on fixing the castle?"
"It's going well. We put the students to good use when they aren't in training."
"I need to see the Hogwarts registration book."
"Why?"
"Curiosity."
Narcissa shrugged and summoned the book. "Granger. Why do you look particularly devastated today? I trust Bella has been remembering to feed you?"
"She's going to kill my cat." Hermione replied sadly.
"What? Bella, this is a new low, even for you." Narcissa glared at her older sister.
"I never said or implied any such thing. Honestly, I asked her a question and she refused to answer, it made me angry. I don't have a reason to kill a cat. Now, are these the incoming first years?" She pointed to a page that was bookmarked.
"Yes, as you can see, the muggle-born names have been crossed out."
"How does the book know?"
"Know what?"
"When a child with magical abilities is born, how does the book know?"
"I have no idea."
"Ahem. Bellatrix, I can answer your question if you would like." All three women spun around to look at Dumbledore's painting.
"Go ahead."
"A complex sensory charm developed by Rowena Ravenclaw. The first time a child's magical abilities manifest the book automatically records the name, parents names, and location."
"What if the magic comes from wand usage?"
"It is impossible to use a wand if you yourself do not possess magical blood. In fact, it is impossible to do any magic if a person does not have magical abilities, with or without a wand."
"The Dark Lord says…"
"Many things, most of which are untrue."
"Prove it."
"Miss Granger. I'm so very happy to see you alive and well. If you would be so kind, as to give Miss Black the proof she requires."
"I'll need help, professor." Bellatrix and Narcissa just stared at her in bewilderment. After a long awkward moment Hermione reached out just in time to grab the sword of Gryffindor as it manifested in thin air. While the sister's were still gaping at her she used a non-verbal spell to disarm both witches.
"How dare you!" Narcissa screamed.
"How did you do that?" Bellatrix asked.
"Non-verbal spell. We started learning those in sixth year."
"But you didn't have a wand."
"Expelliarmus is a simple spell, I didn't need one. You were both distracted."
"Not all wizards can do wandless magic, regardless of difficulty."
"I can."
"You see Bellatrix, Granger possesses magical abilities far beyond most of her classmates. Certainly beyond the likes of Crabbe and Goyle. If you look back to 1979, you will find her name." Dumbledore explained. "One would assume that this would be adequate proof that she is inherently magical."
"Bellatrix do something!" Narcissa demanded.
"She has a bloody sword and both our wands, you do something."
"Stop screaming. Here." Hermione tossed Lady Malfoy's wand back to her.
"You'll never make it out of the castle alive." Bellatrix warned.
"I know. I don't intend to try to escape." Hermione laid the sword down on the desk and handed Bellatrix back her wand.
"We're leaving Cissy." Bellatrix announced.
"Good. If I were you I'd leave her behind. She can join the other mudbloods."
Bellatrix didn't answer, only swept from the room and out of the castle. When they had returned to Black Manor Bellatrix retreated to her study for several hours. Once she emerged she handed Hermione her wand back. "Don't get any ideas. I've charmed it, it can't be used against me, or to apparate."
"What do you want me to do?"
For an hour Bellatrix asked Hermione to perform increasingly complex feats of magic. When she failed to find any spell that Hermione couldn't do perfectly she became angry. "It doesn't mean anything." she spat. "You're still filth." she yanked the wand from Hermione's grasp and sent her to the dungeon.
Bellatrix didn't let her out for over a week, coming down once a day to throw food in for her. Apparently she didn't even trust Horna to do it. Finally Hermione heard voices arguing from above the cell and then footsteps descended.
"Andromeda?" Hermione looked from one sister to the other.
"Hermione. You're okay. Open this door Bella."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes but complied. Andromeda stepped in and embraced Hermione. "How are you really? Besides being far too thin?"
"I'm ok. How is Teddy?"
"He's good. He's grown so much already."
"What are you doing here?"
"Checking on you. I know my sister and I needed to see for myself that you were fine."
"I don't understand. How did you know I was here?"
Andromeda turned to her sister. "Bellatrix, I think I should talk to Hermione alone."
"Fine. I'll be upstairs."
Andromeda waited for Bellatrix to leave before she answered. "Hermione, I've never stopped talking to Bella. Or Cissy, but Bella and I have always been closer. When I left with Ted she was furious with me. She hated Ted, and she and Cissy had always believed in that pure-blood shit. Well, not to the extent they do now. They never thought muggle-borns should be hurt, or killed, or not allowed at Hogwarts. They just believed pure-bloods were better. But she's my sister and she is loyal. She helped me escape and for all these years she has been my secret keeper."
"How can she fight for them knowing they would kill you if given a chance?"
"It's not that simple. She didn't have much of a choice. Riddle used her. And once she lost her mind she became an easy scapegoat."
"What happened to her? I always thought it was Azkaban that drove her mad but it wasn't was it?"
"It's not my place to say."
"Please. Even after all the things she has done to me I don't hate her. But if there is something in her past that can help me see why she is the way she is I need to know."
"She never loved Rodolphus. Or Riddle for that matter. Not in that way."
"I know."
"But our father arranged her marriage to Rodolphus and Bella did what was expected of her. I have a memory, not mine, it's Cissy's. It's...hard to watch."
"I need to see."
"Very well. Horna?" The house elf appeared instantly. "Horna, will you please bring us the pensieve from the study?"
"Of course Miss Andromeda." Horna was back in less than a minute and Andromeda added the memory. Hermione leaned in, eagerly, ready to learn all she could about the unpredictable woman who owned her.